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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Marines and Sailors gathered at the Semper Fit Center gym for a friendly tussle with mixed martial artists during the “For the Leathernecks IV” event, July 10, 2015.
Coordinated through the Headquarters Marine Corps’ Single Marine Program and hosted by Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Single Marine & Sailor Program, the event featured MMA fighters Tom “Filthy” Lawlor, Gray “The Bully” Maynard and Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz, as well as Bonnie-Jill Laflin, a sportscaster for Fox Sports, and Amber Nichole Miller, a model and former octagon girl.
Laflin was the master of ceremonies at the event, introducing the group. The San Francisco native has participated in numerous military entertainment events worldwide. The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader comes from a family with a military background. She said she enjoys interacting with the service members.
“Doing the meet and greets is what I like the most,” Laflin said. “I get to know (the service members) a little bit, know their story and just let them know how thankful I am for their service and everything they sacrifice for our country.”
After introductions, Munoz began the clinic, leading attendees through a warm-up. The Marines and Sailors circled the gym, jogging and performing high knees and grapevines.
Munoz, who fought in the Middleweight division in the UFC, is currently a retired MMA fighter. Munoz said he can relate to the service members, since he is part of a military family. He was born on a military installation in Yokosuka, Japan, and eventually settled in Vallejo, Calif., where his father was also stationed.
“I just love the fact that they’re fans of the sport,” Munoz said. “I’m actually excited to motivate and inspire them to keep learning mixed martial arts and not just be content with (their current skill level).”
Service members gathered in a circle as Maynard demonstrated a specific technique, with Lawlor and Munoz supporting. Maynard, of Phoenix, started practicing MMA in 2006 and currently has an 11-5 record.
“(Service members) do a lot for us,” Maynard said. “This is our chance to give back.”
Students in the most recent three-week MCMAP course attended the event as a group. Cpl. Michael Cuneo, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor at School of Infantry-West, said the visit encourages service members to exercise, train and push themselves, while improving morale on the base.
“I think it’s really cool that these pro-fighters came out to spend time with the (service members),” said Cuneo, a native of Newcastle, Calif.
Lawlor, of Fall River, Mass., fights in the Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight divisions, and has been fighting professionally since 2007. He has been involved in events meeting the military for five years, and this is his second Leatherneck tour. Even though his next fight is scheduled within two weeks of this tour, and it normally takes a good 30 hours a week to prepare, Lawlor said it was a small sacrifice compared to the sacrifices service members make.
Lance Cpl. Josue Barber, of Erin, Tenn., said the clinic was technical in nature, and it was an honor to learn from a professional. He and Lance Cpl. Kyle Kurschner, both artillery meteorological men with Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, received individual coaching from Lawlor during the clinic.
“(Lawlor is) a really good teacher,” said Kurschner, of Manitowoc, Wis. “(I) learn a lot of good techniques from him.”
Brian Lee, the director of Pro Sports Marketing Ventures & Promotions, said the purpose of the event was to get the service members some exercise and a break from work with a rare opportunity to have individual attention from professionals they’ve only seen on TV.
“The feedback’s been outstanding,” Lee said. “It’s been very successful and very well received and we’re thrilled these guys are out here today.”
The fighters also met service members at a special “Ultimate Fighting Championship” viewing party at Kahuna’s Bar and Grill, July 11.
The Leatherneck tour has visited other installations including Marine Barracks and Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2015 18:25 |
| Story ID: | 170357 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | ERIN, TN, US |
| Hometown: | FALL RIVER, MA, US |
| Hometown: | MANITOWOC, WI, US |
| Hometown: | NEWCASTLE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | VALLEJO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MMA fighters visit MCB Hawaii, teach moves, by Kristen Wong, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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